As Zhen and Kuro entered the Holy Library, Zhen was told to pay 1 gold for his beast companion, Kuro.

"....."

'This is outrageous, every place is a money-grubber. First, you have Davis Butcher, Lily's Mirage, Alchemist Guild, Adventure Guild, and only the Grotto's Inn spare me because of Sara.'

Zhen's expression became ashen and without any choice, he ordered Kuro to go back to the inn.

He was too poor to afford this kind of luxury.

Kuro didn't say anything as he wished to sleep in the inn.

'Master truly knows me well. I don't even like visiting places if there's no food available. I rather sleep in the comfy inn room.'

After sending Kuro back to the inn, Zhen proudly walked in while giving daggers to the person that tried to charge him 1 gold.

'CHARGE ME NOW! I DARE YOU!'

Zhen's expression was basically exclaiming that word directly to the person.

"Tch"

The person ignored his provocation and closed his eyes. He couldn't do anything so what the eye doesn't see, the heart won't feel.

Zhen gave a smirk at how he found the loophole and made the person give up on trying to extort.

No longer caring about that person, Zhen gradually walked to the interior of the library.

As Zhen continued walking in, he heard some loud chattering and was surprised that they allowed loud volume in a library.

He perks his senses up to see what they're discussing.

"Wow, Simon, you are amazing!"

"Right, right, to be accepted to a prestigious magic academy in the Swift Feather Kingdom."

"Hehe, it's nothing special with my talents," Simon replied to those bootlickers. Even though he knew that he is very willing to listen to more flowery words and praises.

Meanwhile, Zhen took a brief moment to think about the Swift Feather Kingdom before shaking his head.

'Maybe, I will try to visit that kingdom when I have the time or opportunity but knowing this information now is useless to me.'

Zhen continues to wander around the library before finding the section he wants to enquire about.

'Geographical Map and History'

'That's right, I need to learn about the area in this continent and familiarize myself so I won't need a guide every single time.'

History is also important as it depicts the current present time.

Although Zhen knows it's better to study some magic or other magic application.

As an educated person, it is unwise to roam around without knowing his geography and history.

Besides, he was strong enough to hold his own for now so Zhen chose this section first.

When Zhen walked to the section slowly, Zhen was not surprised that there were zero people in this section.

After all, who would want to waste their time here when there's a section for magic spell and cultivation.

Although it's some beginner and intermediate spell, for people living in this town, they are considered high level.

Except for him since he was basically a cheat that can knock out a rank 3 mage such as Situ Sheng with one move.

Zhen can learn to use spells easily as long as he gives more effort and only that odd wand manages to resist his magic so far.

Zhen picked a heavy book that has 'Geographical Area' labeled in it. He looked through the table of contents for the Town of Ash and Forest of Trove.

Zhen was intrigued when he saw the geographic environment here.

The Forest of Trove is truly huge. Apparently, the size of this Forest is comparable to 2 large kingdoms combined.

'No wonder, multiple people come here to hunt and not overflow the Forest.'

Zhen said inwardly while raising his eyebrow slightly since he didn't explore much.

A tiny bit of disappointment could be seen in his face since he only saw the tip of an iceberg but Zhen changed his emotion quickly when he saw the Swift Feather Kingdom section.

Apparently, the Swift Feather Kingdom is near the Town of Ash.

About 10-15 days of traveling or even shorter for people who can use flight or teleport or using a carriage without much rest.

Scanning through the book, time passed quickly before Zhen noticed it was about to be dark.

As he was always alone, books and games are what Zhen used to do so he doesn't find it boring at all.

Rather, he was always immersed in his solo time until someone informed him to eat his food.

It was only when a staff member came to inform Zhen that the Library is about to close and that he may borrow a book or come early in the morning as they open at 7:00 am.

Zhen nodded his head and thanked him for informing the details.

The sky was already dark by the time Zhen stepped out of the building.

*Rumble* *Rumble*

'Ahh, my stomach started rumbling. What an embarrassment! I've been starving this whole time without realizing it.'

Since Kuro ate more food than Zhen in Lily's Mirage, he was only able to eat around 1/4 of the food.

Without any choice, Zhen uses a bit of my mana to fill up the hunger a bit before he reaches Grotto's Inn.

The town should be on high alert after Sara's information so surveillance should be at the extreme, especially in the nighttime.

Therefore, Zhen didn't use teleport and stayed lowkey. It would be a pain to be labeled as a spy and have a huge misunderstanding.

Walking back to the inn, you can barely see anyone around the street despite yesterday's many night activities and loud noises that can deafen one's hearing.

A gloomy expression appeared on his face when he recalled how a peaceful, happy town can turn sorrowful in an instant because of human greed.

'Why can't they share the resources together and be happy?'

Too bad, it is only wishful thinking as humans are selfish and wish to obtain all the benefits for themselves.

15 minutes later~

Finally back to the inn, Zhen was glad to see that there is still some loud chattering before even entering.

Zhen opened the door and already smelled the heavy booze coming out of the people's mouths.

Just at this moment, his ear was being twisted by someone and before he could retaliate with a Fireball, Zhen saw the person's face.

"S-S-Sara...."

"WHY DID YOU COME BACK SO LATE? DO YOU KNOW HOW DANGEROUS IT IS TO BE OUTSIDE AT NIGHT IN THIS TIME?" Sara roared at Zhen while twisting his ear harder.

Zhen's ear is starting to turn red and it's excruciating where he screams and pleads for mercy.

'Sara is genuinely angry this time.'

Zhen cried out inwardly while begging she would let him off the hook.

Her pinching in his waist was like a walk in the park before her skills in twisting people's ears.

Zhen apologized again and again with tears flowing out that he won't be late like this.

"You better be back here before the sunset. I've been worried about something happening to you and waited 3 hours in the inn." Sara replied after letting go of her hand.

With a sorrowful expression, Zhen explained his reason, "I was so immersed in the Holy Library that I didn't know the time. Please be lenient as it's my first offense. Ok?"

The ear is still hurting but Zhen was happy to have her caring so much for him.

'It's been a long time since I was scolded ever since she left me.'

Zhen reminisced about his past before looking at Sara again.

Remembering how Sara almost twisted his ear into a pig-like one, Zhen starts to sweat.

He prefers pinching the waist over the ear twisting no matter what. Zhen swore mentally in his mind to avoid that twisting ear treatment at all cost.

John and Sandy were watching on the sideline when they heard their daughter's sudden outburst.

However, when they saw the scene occurred to them, they simply laughed on the sideline but John had a complicated expression while he was laughing.

'Am I going to lose my beautiful daughter now?' John wondered in his mind when he was staring at Sara's behavior.

Sandy was still laughing on the sideline but she didn't step in to help Zhen out as Sara is acting like a housewife who caught their husband being late at night.

Meanwhile, John was in deep thinking since he was informed about the black mage appearance when he received a letter with an eagle symbol.

He knew that this is not some protocol and that the town would soon be in danger.

Therefore, it's better for him to stay at the inn during nighttime in case the black mage decides to attack the town.

While the City Council is patrolling the town rigorously, Zhen is being lectured by Sara throughout the night.

He was even denied food as punishment and to top it off.

'THAT DAMN KURO DIDN'T EXPLAIN WHERE I WAS TO SARA AND CASUALLY EATING SARA'S FOOD IN THE CORNER!'

Zhen cursed Kuro in his mind but didn't dare to outburst it since doing so would only extend his punishment.

While Zhen was glaring at Kuro like he was his mortal enemy.

Kuro had a nonchalant expression while smirking at Zhen when Sara placed the food on the table for him.

'Sara is present, I dare you to bully me.'

Sneering inwardly, Kuro munched on his food in front of Zhen who almost couldn't control himself in punching him.